There is continued media speculation surrounding British troop levels in Afghanistan. Following the McChrystal Review one of the issues being debated across NATO is whether more troops are needed in Afghanistan.
The Prime Minister has always been open-minded on the issue of whether more troops are needed and, if so, whether the UK should be prepared to send more. The situation on the ground is evolving, military thinking continues to develop, and Ministers keep this issue under constant review with advice from the Chiefs.
Furthermore, discussions are still ongoing with the US and allies on the overall strategy – including the McChrystal Review. The end-game of the Afghan elections is approaching but still not finalised. We have always said we should not make a decision on British troop levels in advance of these wider developments, especially with US and British troops now working increasingly closely side-by-side in Helmand.
It is clear that any increase in British troops would need to be conditional on the following:
- The feasibility of being able to send the necessary equipment, especially to fully protect against the deadly and growing threat of IEDs – something which is more an issue of production and training timelines than money;
- The right strategy – with an emphasis on Afghanisation – being agreed across the international coalition, with all countries signed up and prepared to bear their share of the burden;
- A new Afghan Government being in place ready to seize the initiative on corruption, and ready to send more Afghan troops to be trained and partnered by our troops – because it is when the Afghan authorities and security forces are able to deal with the terrorists and extremists themselves, that our forces can come home.
The Prime Minister, together with the Defence Secretary, Foreign Secretary, Development Secretary and Chiefs, meet regularly in the relevant Cabinet Sub-Committee to discuss the campaign in Afghanistan. Troop levels are constantly kept under review, and ensuring the mission is properly resourced is a constant feature of discussions.
As we enter a period of changeover of forces, we can confirm that some personnel in 19 Light Brigade will have their operational tour extended and that the deployment of some personnel in 11 Light Brigade will be delayed.
The changeover of any brigade is complex. Given the nature of continuing operational tasks, uncertainties over the Afghan presidential election, and consideration by NATO of General McChrystal’s Strategic Assessment, this changeover is more complex than most. The affected units and their home bases have been informed.
We will be looking at the leave arrangements of affected units to compensate for the change.
